So, you're throwing a huge party. The invites have gone out, the food and the catering is on order, you've got everybody out of the house so that you can get it fixed up and cleaned, and now you need music. The perfect party playlist has to feel right. Is your party following a theme? In that case, the playlist may be dictated by that theme. Is your party going to be a low-key event or a bringing-down-the-ceiling kind of party? Your playlist will definitely dictate whether or not your party will be either of those. Either way, consider these tips for making a party playlist that hops.
Determine Party Length
If you want a playlist to be a good one, it has to last the length of the party that you are throwing. A 24 hour event, for example, requires a list of up to 60 songs to take you through seamlessly. You need to ensure that you have enough party songs that go without repeating the tracks. Most parties have a playlist that can go for up to 3 to 4 hours without repeating the same songs.
Don't Click Shuffle
It's easy to do when you're going for a run or you're commuting to work, but you want a party playlist that sounds organized and that flows really well. It's not just a case of chucking songs into a list and hoping for the best when it comes to a party playlist. You have to have an order and tell a story with the playlist that you are using. This is not a mixtape, so create a theme and let it flow.
Curate the Music
Who is your audience for this party? If you're dealing with a younger crowd, then select current tracks. If you're hosting older people, try choosing songs from their favorite decades. Special events often need a curated playlist, so make sure that you're speaking with your guests and getting a feel for the range of music people enjoy. You're not going to play hard-core metal to a bunch of 70-year-olds, right?
Be Open to Requests
You don't have to have hundreds of requests throughout the party, but being open to requests is going to really help the vibe as the night goes on. You want your party to be a success, and that means looking at the way that people like to enjoy music and going with the flow on the day. You don't have to start spinning any desk of any song that comes up, if you have a list of reserve music to one side so that if requests come up you can access it, people are going to talk about your party for years.
Think Like a DJ
You just have to keep playlists consistent and appealing to a wide age group to ensure that nobody falls out of the party early. If you have songs that don't line up next to each other, your playlist is going to sound messy and that's the last thing that you need when you're trying to impress. Consider everything the way a DJ would consider it and you'll be able to ensure that everybody has a great time.
The perfect party playlist is one that flows, that sounds great, and that incorporates a wide range of music for a wide range of tastes. But there is no use in having a beautifully flowing playlist if your sound system cannot handle the music, so make sure to have the proper equipment capable of playing music at the right level for your guests' full enjoyment. Whether you get your music from mainstream streamers like Spotify or you head to music torrenting sites for the newest and latest tracks, you will want to create a playlist that your guests will appreciate. If you plan ahead and develop your list early enough to get some feedback from your guests, you're going to help ensure that everybody enjoys the music that you play at your party.
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